Belt or strap fastener



July 12,. 1949. A. NEUMANN 2,475,634

' BELT OR STRAP FASTENER Filed Oct. 16, 1945 INVENTOR Hana Manna/1 1ATTORNEY Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BELT R STRAPFASTENER- Anna Neumann, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application October 16, 1945,Serial No. 622,51}?

7 Claims. .1

This invention relates to adjustable fastenin d vices, and especially tofasteners adap to be associated with and intended for the adjustm nt ofbelts. straps and he like.

One of the objects of the present invention s to Provide a iasten r or.buckle for belts, strap the like, which has the advantage of combining asturdy cons ruction with a quick and effective adjusting operation, forthe belt, strap or the like with which the buckle is associated.

Another important advantage of the present invention is to provide anadjusting buckle for belts or straps, which is not only highlyeffective, but which is capable of considerable modifications for thepurposeof either enhancing its outer ppearance or for adapting it foruse in hard-to get-to places, or where either the size of the applianceis of an important consideration, and wherein simplicity in operation isone of the deciding factors.

While it is conceded that numerous devices were heretofore designed withthe view of eliminating the use of the well known tongue and aperturearrangement :for adjusting straps, and which arrangement does not afiordclose adjustment, the present invention contemplates a new organizationof parts, the cooperation of which. parts produces new advantages andrather unexpected results, not achievable in the aioreindicat d p iordev lopments.

The principle of the present invention is based on. the employment oftwo buckle members, wherein one of. the members interlocks with theother member, and wherein one of the members is smaller in size than theother member and is operative within the larger member, such operationconsisting of a sliding movement of the smaller member in respect to thelarger member, andby which sliding movement of the smaller member in onedirection a strap or belt passing through the members becomes impinged,and thereby is prevented from moving in respect to the buckle, and, whenthe buckle members are centered, the belt, is freed for adjustment.

This principle and other objects and advantages of' the presentinvention will be more fully understood from the ensuing description inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a presently preferred form of the instantinvention, with the ends of a belt attached thereto;

Fig. -2 is a section therethrough taken on line 2.2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the l rger frame mm- 2 her f rmin a par of. thconstruction shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the smaller frame member;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section similar to that shown in Fig. 2, but with the twobuckle members shifted to a belt-impinging position;

Fig. 8 is a plan view through a modified form of a large buckle frame;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the smaller buckle. frame for cooperating withhe lar er buckle frame shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the larger member in another buckleconstruction;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a corresponding smaller buckle member adaptedto cooperate with the larger member shown in Fig. 1.0;.

Fig. 12 is a section taken on line 2-42 through Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line I3-l3 through Fig. 11;

Fig, 14 is a section similar to. that shown in Fig. 2 throu h the bucklearrangemen ill s ted in Figs. 10 to 13, taken on line I2-.-.|2 of Fig.10. with thebclt attached;

Fig. 15 is a top view of still another construction of the presentinvention, in conjunction with a belt;

Fig. 16 is a plan View of a modified embodiment of the presentinvention, attached to a belt;

Fig. 17 is a section taken on line l1-|1 through Fig. 1 6, the beltbeing omitted;

Fig. 18 is ,a plan view of a different arrange ment of a buckleaccording to the present invention, with a belt attached thereto; a

Fig. 19 is a section taken, on line l.9|9 through Fig. 1.8.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, numeral Iii denotes the largermember or outer frame of the fastener, which frame is made of arelatively thick material and has a continuous or endless peripheral rimcomprising longitudinal or top and bottom members H and vertical endmembers It. At the upper face of frame [0 there is pro.- vided. arelatively shallow recess [3, and at the left-hand part of that recessthe frame is deepened somewhat more at [4, as clearly seen in Fig. 4.The provision of recess [3 renders the, pa.- ripheral rim of this bucklemember elevated in respect to the bottom of the recess. At about thecenter of this larger buckle member there is arranged a bar I5, theunper surface of which is disposed in a plane naralliel to but spacedfrom the plane in which lies the bottom of shallow recess it. At theright of bar l5 there is provided a relatively long aperture I6, and tothe left of bar l5 there will be seen another but shorter aperture ll.The difference in length of these apertures will be explained presently.

Corresponding or complementary to the interior contour of member II], orto the exterior periphery of recess [3, there is indicated at l8 thesmaller buckle member which is adapted to operate or slide within recessI3. In Figs. 2, 6 and 7 the thickness of smaller member 18 is shown toapproximate the depth of shallow recess l3. However, the thickness orheight of member l8 may be altered, as long as the two buckle membersare movable in the manner herein intended. Buckle member or element I8comprises again a continuous peripheral frame structure provided with abar l9 located centrally between side apertures 20 and. 20'. Referringnow to Figs. 13 and 4, it will be observed that the longer aperture l6of larger buckle element I is so dimensioned as to permit the passagetherethrough of smaller element' l8.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a strap or belt 2!, the adjustable end22 of which passes through apertures 20 and 20 of the small buckleelement l8. The length of these apertures is such as to permit a readypassage therethrough of belt 22. Again alluding to Fig. 3, the smalleror shorter aperture I! of larger buckle element ll) corresponds inlength to the length or height of apertures 20 and 20' of smaller buckleelement It, and also permits the passage therethrough of adjustable beltend 22.

As seen from Figs. 2 and 7, adjustable end 22 passes through long slotl6 of larger buckle element l0, then through right-hand and left-handslots 20 and 20 of smaller buckle element [8 and back through short slotI! of the larger element, and continues below the latters body towithout. Smaller element l8 being somewhat shorter and of lesser widththan recess l3 provided in the larger element, it may move in anydirection, but is designed mainly to slide either to the left or rightin respect to the larger element. In Fig. 7 element l 8 is shown shiftedto its extreme righthand position.

When the elements are in the position shown in Fig. 2 adjustable portion22 of the belt may be I readily pulled without undue effort at eitherone side or the other, thus facilitating the adjustment of the belt, itbeing understood that the fixed end 23 of the belt is permanentlyassociated with bar I of the larger buckle element. When the adjustmentof belt end 22 is made, a pull exerted by gripping the permanentlyattached portion of the belt and the part of the adjustable endextending to the right of the buckle will shift the smaller buckleelement to the position shown in Fig. '7, that is to the right. Inconsequence of this bodily movement of element I 8 in respect to largerbuckle member H], the adjustable belt portion, passing over bar l9 andthrough apertures 20' and 20, and apertures l6 and I! of the largerbuckle element, is brought under tension. At the same time the left-handedge 20a of left-hand opening 20 will impinge upon the upper beltportion, and simultaneously the right-hand lower belt portion passingthrough large opening l6 will be also impinged upon by the left edge2lla of right-hand opening 20. Thus the adjustable belt end is preventedfrom moving in respect to the buckle, and the belt remains now in itsadjusted position, irrespective 4 of any pull exerted upon the two beltportions A and B at the left and right of the buckle (see Fig. '7).

Constructions similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 7,inclusive, are illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, with the difference thatthe bodies of the belt buckle elements assume annular and circularshapes, respectively. The large buckle element is indicated at 24 inFig. 8, While the smaller buckle element is .shown at 25 in Fig. 9. Thelarger element again is provided at one face with relatively shallowrecess 26. In that recess portion there will be observed a long verticalslot 21' and a shorter slot 28, the two slots being separated byvertical bar 29, disposed in a plane lower than the bottom of recess 26.The peripheral dimension of the smaller element is such that thatelement may operate or slide in any direction within recess 26 of thelarger element. Again there are provided two slots 30 and 30 betweenwhich is disposed a central bar 3|. Another modification of the presentinvention is illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13, where again a large element32 is employed, the latter being provided with a shallow recess 33 andadeeper recess 34. At the lower recessed area is a bar. 35 adjacent towhich are two slots 36 and 35', which in this embodiment are of the samelength. Somewhat smaller than recessed portion 33 of large element 32 isanother buckle element 3i, also provided with a central bar 38, at bothsides of which are slots 39 and 39. The

arrangement of the belt parts in this modifica tion are illustrated inFig. 14. That arrangement is identical with that described in connectionwith Figs. 1 and 7, with the exception that slots 36 and 36' of bucklemember 32 are both sufficiently long to permit the passage thereelement42 corresponding to the elements designated as larger in the descriptionof Figs. 1 to 15, is wider than the upper buckle element 43, whichlatter corresponds to the element designated above as smaller elements.As will be readily observed, however, that upper element 43- issubstantially longer than element 42, and that its central portion 44 isin the form of an extension of its elongated body. That extensionoperates or slides within recess 45 of the lower element. It will beobserved that the central area of the upper element is provided witharecess 46 so that a belt passed through the slots of the two elementswill not extend above the upper face of element 43. In all otherrespects, however, this modification functions in the same manner as thepreviously described embodiments.

A somewhat different construction from those already described isillustrated in Figs. 18 and 19. In this embodiment there are alsoemployed two distinct buckle elements, however, one of the elements isformed from and constitutes an integral part of the belt body. The otherelement is a buckle structure 41 provided with a peripheral, endlessframe 48 and two bars 49 and 49, which are disposed in a plane belowthat of frame 48. Bars 49 and 49 divide the so-to-speak recessed portionof the buckle structure into three slots and serve for the attachmentand adjustment of belt end 50, in that the latter is first passed overbars 49' and 49, then around bar 49, and back and over bar 49 and outfrom below its continuation 5|, which latter rests against the lowerface of frame 48. The other end 52' of the belt engages the verticalside members of the buckle frame.

It will be observed that the belt body has cutouts 53 whereby flaps orlips 54 are formed, which lips overlie the two side portions of theframe, while the portions of the belt body at both sides of the cut-outspass on the underside of the frame. By this interengagement of the frameand the belt portions the relative movement of belt end 52 in respect tothe frame is prevented, while the adjustment of the belt as to itslength is facilitated by the movement of belt end 50 over bars 49 and49'. The portions of fixed belt end 52 in engagement with frame 48possesses, what is to be considered, a bar between flaps 54, and takesthe place and the function of the larger frame element in the previouslydescribed embodiments of the present invention, whereas bars 49 and 49together with the adjustable end 50 of the belt serves in the place ofthe smaller buckle element. The position of the adjustable end of thebelt in this modification is reversed in that the fixed end of the beltis on top. When pull is exerted on fixed end 52 and belt body 5|, theimpinging action on the fixed end of the belt by the adjustable endthereof prevents further movement of the belt. In order to adjust thebelt, end 52' of the fixed belt portion must be held or pulled to theright so as to free that portion of belt end 50 which engages bars 49and 49', and not until that portion is free can belt end 5!] beadjusted.

In the previously described arrangements an adjustment of the belt isnot possible while the small elements of the belt buckles are inabutting position with one edge of the recess in the larger buckleelement. In other words the smaller buckle element must be placed to acentral position, such as indicated in Fig. 1.

It is to be noted in all of the embodiments illustrated that each buckleunit is composed of two distinct buckle elements, and that each of theelements has at least one bar, or what may be considered a barformation, such as shown in Figs. 18 and 19 between the two tongues 54,and that these bars are disposed at right angles to the longitudinalcenter line of the strap or belt body. Another feature of the presentdevelopment resides in the fact that at least one of the buckle elementsconstitutes or possesses an endless peripheral frame or rim and that onebuckle element is operative within such frame or rim structure of theother element. To all practical purposes both buckle elements mayvirtually be considered frame structures, so that it may be said thatone frame structure operates within the other frame structure.

The construction of the double buckle element is of particular interestwhere diminutive adjusting devices of this type are essential, such asin the manufacture of shoes, where a correct adjustment of strapsbecomes an important feature for the comfort of the wearer, or in thefield of ladies undergarments, where emphasis is laid upon easy andpositive adjustment of shoulder and hosiery supports.

While only a few modifications of the present development areillustrated, be it understood that variations and changes may beimparted therein in order to meet various conditions, Without de- 6.parting from the scope of the present invention as defined in theannexed claims. 1

I claim:

1. In a fastener for adjusting belts, straps or the like, a lower memberand an upper member, at least one opening in the-lower member whichpermits of threading the upper member through the lower member, theupper member resting on and at least partly overlapping both ends of thelower member in operative position, one strap portion immovablyassociated with one of said members in normal use of the fastener,another strap portion passing always in the same direction along thelower member and through the lower member, then passing along at least apart of the upper member, said another strap portion being immovablyassociated with the upper memher during normal use of the fastener, saidanother strap portion again passing through the lower member and finallyalong the lower member, thereby maintaining the upper member inoperative position.

2. A fastener, as set forth in claim 1, in which said lower and uppermembers comprise frame members, said lower member being larger than saidupper member, and the outer peripheral portions of the smaller memberengaging corresponding inner complementary portions of the largermember, in order to prevent relative movement between said two members.

3. A fastener as set forth in claim 1, in which said lower and uppermembers comprise endless frame structures, said lower member having oneshallow and one deeper depression whereby an endless peripheral rim isformed and said upper member fits into the rim of said lower member, andthe deeper depression provides a passage for the first strap portion.

4. A fastener, as set forth in claim 3, in which the thickness of saidupper member substantially corresponds to the depth of the shallowdepression in said lower member which is of a shape similar to that ofthe interior complementary portion of said lower member.

5. A fastener, as set forth in claim 1, including a cross bar memberextending transversely within said upper member and defining twotransverse openings for passing said other strap portion therethrough.

6. A fastener, as set forth in claim 1, in which said upper member hastongue extensions extending through corresponding slots in the saidanother strap portion and engages opposite top faces of said lowermember.

'7. In a fastener for adjusting belts, straps or the like, a lowermember and an upper member, at least one cross bar extendingtransversely within the lower member and defining two transverseopenings one of which permits of threading the upper member through thelower member, the upper member resting above the cross bar and at leastpartly overlapping both ends of the lower member in operative position,one strap portion immovably associated with one of said members, anotherstrap portion passing always in the same direction along the lowermember and through one of the transverse openings of the lower member,then passing along at least a part of the upper member, said anotherstrap portion being immovably associated with the upper member duringnormal use of the fastener, said another strap portion again passingthrough the other of the transverse openings of the lower member andfinally along the lower member,

thereby maintaining the upper member in said 7 UNITED STATES PATENTSoperative position.

ANNA NEUMANN, Number Name Date 1,081,610 Hazard Dec. 16, 1913 REFERENCESCITED 5 1,319,542 White Oct. 21, 1919 1,751,92 Kelley Mar. 25, 1930 Thefollowmg referenlces are of record 1n the 2346887 Winkler Apr. 18, 1944file of this patent:

